Game apparatus



1935 0 w WILLMAN 2,010,209

GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 6, 1935. w.WILLMAN 2,010,209

GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS IWilliam YVillman, New York, N. Y.

Application September 28, 1934, Serial No. 745,989

6 Claims. (01. 273-441) This invention relates to a game apparatus'andhas s )ecial reference to a novel game apparatus depending on thespinning of an arrow over a circular series of numbers.

One important object of the invention is to provide, in such anapparatus, a novel arrangement for effecting the spinning of the arrow.

A second important object of the invention is to provide arrow actuatingmeans rotatable about the apparatus to place it convenient to eachplayer around the apparatus.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel gameboard for use in playing a novel game.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists ingeneral of certain novel details of construction and combinations ofparts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and specifically claimed. 20 In the accompanying drawings likecharacters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:--t Figure 1 is a plan view of the game apparatus as constructed inaccordance with this invention.

25 Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figurefl is a plan view of the arrowactuating apparatus removed from theboard.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an. enlarged section partly broken away on a diametricalline of Figure 7.

In the embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed there is provideda circular game board i i which provided with legs each including anupper portion l i extending horizontally outward from the peripheralposition of the board I and farther including a downwardly extendingportion or leg 12 which may be provided at its lower end with a foot l3preferably extending inwardly from the lower end of the leg Ill. Theboard i is provided with a central opening 14 and in this opening ismounted a cylindrical casing i which has spaced flanges l8 at its upperend embracing the peripheral portion of the board it surrounding theopening I4. Thus the casing I5 is revolubly mounted in the opening Hi.In the casing is a circular guide wall Hi from which projects a tail I!to guide an actuating ball. From the casing l5 projects a spring plungerhousing 19 which extends substantially radial of the casing i5. Thisspring plunger housing l9 slants downwardly from the casing l5 forpurposes which will be presently explained. In the housing I9 is mountedapiston 20 which is fixed on a piston rod 2i. The rod 2| extends througha suitable opening in the outer end of the housing l9 and is provided onits outer end with a pull button 22. Between the outer end of thehousing l9 and the piston 20 there is provided a coiled compressionspring 23 which surrounds the rod 2! and constantly urges the piston 20inwardly. An actuating ball 24 rests lightly, under normal conditions,against the inner face of the piston .20 but, when the button 22 ispulled out and released suddenly, this ball is projected around thecasing l4 and finally drops back against the piston 20.

Mounted in the top of the casing M at its center is a shaft 25 which isrevoluble freely with respect to the casing. 'The lower part of thisshaft carries a paddle wheel 26 the blades of which are so positionedthat one of these blades is struck by the ball 24 as it is projected bythe action of the spring 23. On the upper end of the shaft 25 is apointer 21, in the shape of an arrow, the point of which traversesaround a twelve numbered dial carrying two series of numbers from 1 to 6imprinted on the upper surface of the casing. Thus, when the button 22is pulled back and quickly released the pointer is caused to spinandeventually comes to rest at one of the indicia on the dial.

Around the board [0, parallel to the periphery thereof, is arranged aplurality of series of concentric lines 28 having each thirty-sixstation points 29 arranged in six groups of six each. On the outercircle each group of six station points is provided with an initial orstarting point or station 3B indicatively indicated as by a distinctivccolor such as one-half green. Each of the inner rows also has asimilarly indicated station point 3| staggered laterally in successionfrom the next outer point and then in again along lines 32. Connectingthe inner station points inwardly opposite each point 30 as at 3 -3 arecurved lines 30 on each of which is located a series of stationpoints'35 corresponding in number to the number of pieces to be used byeach player, as shown here in four station points.

4 Now, it is to be understood that the buttons 22 can pass freely withinthe legs I 2 so that the housing 19 may be swung around to any positionrelative to the board ill.

The game is played in the following manner. Each player has a number ofmen like checkers. By lot, the players sitting around the board selectthe player who is to start the game. The starting player turns thehollow arm l9 to lie in front of him and pulls back the plunger andreleases it to project the ball 24 which hits the paddle 26 which spinsthe arrow. If the arrow points at 6 then the player puts one of his menon his starting point 28. For each time a player plays 6 he is entitledto an additional throw so that the starting player then again actuatesthe plunger if he throws 6. Whatever he throws on this shot indicatesthe number of spaces he moves his man. If, for instance the arrowindicates 3 he moves his man three spaces around the circle. If, howeverthe arrow indicates 1 he moves his man along the heavy black line 32 tothe next inner circle. If the starting player fails to throw 6 he passesthe tubular extension to the next player who acts in the same manner andthe tubular extension passes in this manner from one player to another,finally returningto the starting player who has another shot. Now,suppose the player has thrown a 6 and a 3 so that his man rests on thethird white spot'to the right of his entry spot 36. If, now the arrowstops at 4 he moves his man around the circle 28 to the next entry spot30 and then along the path 32 to the next inner circle. If the arrowstops at any other number he simply moves around the outer circle. Inother words, to pass from any circle to the next inner circle the numberindicated by the arrow must be just sufiicient to bring the man to restby a one step movement along the path 32. On the inner circle at exitspots 33 from where the man in the same manner as in moving from circleto circle, moves onto the finish path 34. When all spots on his finishpath 3- 1 are filled by the four men of a player the game is won by thatplayer. If there be a man on a spot and a second man arrives at theoccupied spot the first man is removed and must be started over.

. There has then been provided an interesting game and a novel apparatusfor playing the same.

What is claimed is:-

v 1. A game apparatus including a game board, arrow actuating meansincluding a casing mounted centrally of said board to rotate withrespect thereto, said casing having a tubular extension projecting atits free end from beneath the periphery of the board, said casing beingprovided on its upper face with a numbered dial, a rotatable shaftmounted centrally of said casing, an arrow mounted on the upper end ofsaid shaft to traverse said dial, a paddle wheel on said shaft withinthe casing, ball projecting means carried by the tubular extension, andguide means within the casing for guiding said ball therearound.

2. A game apparatus including a, game board, arrow actuating meansincluding a casing mounted centrally of said board to rotate withrespect thereto, said casing having a tubular extension projecting atits free end from beneath the periphery of the board, said casing beingprovided on its upper face with a numbered dial, a rotatable shaftmounted centrally of said casing, an arrow mounted on the upper end ofsaid shaft to traverse said dial, a paddle wheel on said shaft withinthe casing, ball projecting means carried by the tubular extension, anda guide rib on the floor of the casing to guide the ball around theperiphery of the casing.

3. A game apparatus including a game board, having a multiplicity ofspots for playing pieces arranged along definite paths each of whichincludes an entry spot and a plurality of finish spots, arrow actuatingmeans including a casing mounted centrally of said board to rotate withrespect thereto, said casing having a tubular extension projecting atits free end from beneath the periphery of the board, said casing beingprovided on its upper face with a numbered dial, and an arrow rotatablymounted centrally of the casing to rotate over said dial.

4. A game apparatus including a game board, having a multiplicity ofspots for playing pieces arranged along definite paths each of whichincludes an entry spot and a plurality of finish spots, arrow actuatingmeans including a casing mounted centrally of said board to rotate withrespect thereto, said casing having a tubular extension projecting atits free end from beneath the periphery of the board, said casing beingprovided on its upper face with a numbered dial, a rotatable shaftmounted centrally of said casing, an arrow mounted on the upper end ofsaid shaft to traverse said dial, a paddle wheel on said shaft withinthe casing, ball projecting means carried by the tubular extension, anda ball normally resting in said casing and projectable by said ballprojecting means to strike a blade of the paddle wheel.

5. A game apparatus including a game board, having a multiplicity ofspots for playing pieces arranged along definite paths each of whichincludes an entry spot and a plurality of finish spots, arrow actuatingmeans including a casing mounted centrally of said board to rotate withrespect thereto, said casing having a tubular extension projecting atits free end from beneath the pe-- riphery of the board, said casingbeing provided on its upper face with a numbered dial, a rotatable shaftmounted centrally of said casing, an arrow mounted on the upper end ofsaid shaft to traverse said dial, a paddle wheel on said shaft withinthe casing, ball projecting means carried by the tubular extension, andguide means within the casing for guiding said ball around.

6. A game apparatus including a game board,

having a multiplicity of spots for playing pieces arranged alongdefinite paths each of which includes an entry spot and a plurality offinish spots, arrow actuating means including a casing mounted centrallyof said board to rotate with respect thereto, said casing having atubular extension projecting at its free end from beneath the peripheryof the board, said casing being provided on its upper face with anumbered dial, a rotatable shaft mounted centrally of said casing, anarrow mounted on the upper end of said shaft to traverse said dial, apaddle wheel on said shaft within the casing, ball projecting meanscarried by the tubular extension, and a guide rib on the floor of thecasing to guide the ball around the periphery of the casing.

WILLIAM WILLMAN.

